SSN is a digest of the day's soccer/football/futbol articles with a focus on the top European leagues and the United States National Team. Below, you’ll find links to articles and video, as well as additional features and commentary. We locate the top news of the day so you can stay updated with ease.

Friday, December 05, 2008

Over six years ago Niall Quinn sat in a news conference explaining why Roy Keane had left the Republic of Ireland's squad for the 2002 World Cup. On Thursday, Quinn found himself explaining a second Keane exit, this time announcing the 37-year-old's reign as manager of the north-east club was over after less than two-and-a-half years.

Chelsea go to Bolton, Liverpool are at Ewood Park, Keaneless Sunderland head to Old Trafford, Fulham host Manchester City, Arsenal welcome Wigan, Hull host Boro, Stoke are at St. James' Park, Everton welcome Villa, West Brom welcome Portsmouth, and Spurs head to East London to face West Ham.

Sampdoria’s Antonio Cassano and Genoa striker Diego Milito can each claim to be the revelations of Serie A this season even if their clubs have been more inconsistent. The in-form pair will be on opposing sides on Sunday (1930 GMT) in the hotly-contested Genoa derby, a rare occasion for the two famous Italian clubs to snatch back some of the limelight from the dominant trio of Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus.

With two rounds left until the winter break, the Bundesliga witnesses a David and Goliath clash this week as the mighty Bayern Munich take on minnows - yet league leaders - 1899 Hoffenheim. Elsewhere the teams at the bottom are looking for three points to give themselves some early Christmas cheer.

Gomes has become the latest custodian to fall foul of the goalkeeping graveyard that is White Hart Lane. A regular in the Champions League with former club PSV Eindhoven, Gomes was seen as the experienced, reliable answer to the problem of Paul Robinson, but instead has turned out to be a comedy turn whose fear of crosses is more pronounced than Dracula's. His errors are too numerous mention here but the goal he gifted to Fulham stands out as the worst.

Tottenham maintained its League Cup defense Wednesday by rallying to beat Watford 2-1, while Carlos Tevez scored four times to put Manchester United into the semifinals with a 5-3 victory over Blackburn.

Dempsey played a good game on Saturday, playing aggressively while also trying his best to hold his spot in the starting XI. He nearly opened the scoring for the London club as his 20-yard effort had to be tip over the bar by fellow American, Brad Friedel. Dempsey’s tenacity was almost too much early on as he was booked with a yellow card after a clumsy challenge on Barry. However, a point against a formidable side was important as Fulham extended their unbeaten run to four games running and seven of their last eight.Up Next: Saturday, home to Manchester City.

Jozy Altidore picked up a rare La Liga start for Villarreal. The 19-year-old striker has been eased into the squad since making his 7 digit move to Spain from Red Bull New York, but is starting to perform as he torments Recreativo Huelva.

Beer and football; two pleasures inextricably linked, but at a time when fans are tightening their belts and trying to cut down on frivolous spending it seems that the evil, money-grabbing football clubs in the Premier League are conducting a booze shakedown.

I spent the larger part of Monday evening reading an article in a monthly magazine and then checking the reactions across various message boards. The magazine's cover, almost solely devoted to this one story, depicts your classic prohibition sign, with the diagonal line crossing a megaphone. Below that are the words "Silence, please!" and then: "How ultras are ruining the atmosphere on German fan stands."

Gianfranco Zola handed Chelsea a multitude of reasons to revere him as their greatest ever player. Last night he gave them cause to toast his move into management as West Ham restricted Liverpool's rise to the top at an angst-ridden Anfield. Reaching the summit has rarely been greeted with such bewilderment in these parts.

Quite a decent week for Barcelona, to quote a phrase. A 2-5 win in Lisbon in midweek followed by a 0-3 result in the Sánchez Pizjuan in Sevilla - never an easy place to visit - means that all is tickety-boo on the Catalan front. Messi even had time to lift his shirt and show us his flat tummy after his first goal, which was a little nod to the commentary team of La Sexta TV channel, who had suggested a while ago that he might have been a little overweight. Fat or thin, there's no stopping him, or his team at the moment.

Monday, December 01, 2008

I'm taking a relaxing Thanksgiving holiday. Back on Tuesday. And thanks to The English Pub in Naples, Florida, for their hospitality (and fine cask Fullers ESB ) during the Chelsea/Arsenal match. -Sanford